The answer is: Ladder

Gen 28:12

In Genesis 28:12, Jacob dreams about a ladder (or staircase) stretching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. This vivid imagery is often interpreted as a bridge connecting humanity to the divine, highlighting that God is always in reach, even in our dreams.

The idea of a ladder has struck a chord throughout Biblical literature, with echoes appearing in both testaments. For instance, Jesus, in the New Testament, refers back to Jacob’s dream when He promises angels will ascend and descend upon the Son of Man (John 1:51). Isn’t it fascinating how these iconic references weave through the fabric of scripture?

Intriguingly, the numerical tradition in the Hebrew context might lead to speculation that Jacob's dream occurred during a seven-day journey while he was fleeing from his brother Esau, symbolizing a complete cycle or divine plan. Perhaps Jacob was at "Bethel" (House of God) because it signifies how even places of distress can become sacred when we encounter the divine.

It’s also fun to note that the biblical account adds a sense of solitude experienced by Jacob, making this dream all the more poignant; he’s in a liminal space both physically and spiritually. Legends have it that this night, while dream-clouded and stone-pillow comfortless, began his journey to hardness becoming softened into Israel – a storyteller instead of a mere schemer. Each rung of that ladder can represent our trials and faith as we seek our place in the larger tapestry of life, continually reaching towards something greater.